Our Program | Project Appleseed

This Is How

We Do It

Connect, Engage and Sustain Parents and Families

Research has repeatedly shown that family engagement in education has a positive impact on student achievement. However, despite this evidence, family engagement is often not included as an integral part of school reform efforts. Project Appleseed was founded to address this issue and promote family engagement in public schools. By activating social capital – the networks, norms, and trust within communities – Project Appleseed works to increase academic achievement and create positive change in schools.

One way Project Appleseed promotes family engagement is through the use of the Family Engagement Toolbox. This toolbox is a collection of resources and strategies that schools can use to support and encourage family engagement. By encouraging families to take the Parent Engagement Pledge, schools can generate significant economic value through volunteer hours.

According to U.S. Department of Education data, 43% of K-12 parents volunteer at school, and Independent Sector (IS) has announced that the estimated value of a volunteer hour in the United States reached $31.80 in 2022, up 6.2 percent from 2021. This means that each parent who takes the Parent Engagement Pledge generates $300.00 in volunteer impact. Project Appleseed's program can increase family engagement by considering steps such as these and can help create meaningful and lasting change in schools.

Project Appleseed's Six Slices of Family Engagement

Our Family Engagement Program Step-By-Step

1. Family Engagement Checklist

By following this checklist and addressing each point, the school, PTA/PTO and the families can work together to improve family engagement.

2. Enroll In Workshop & Training

Our professional development is the first step in preparing schools to overcome barriers and reap the benefits of high-impact family engagement.

3. Get the Family Engagement Toolbox!

The Family Engagement Toolbox has all the tools you need to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for families .

4. Ten Step Family Engagement Plan

The plan includes a variety of strategies and tactics that schools can use to connect with, engage, and sustain partnerships with families.

5. Parent Engagement Pledge

Dept of Ed. research says learning compacts like the Pledge have the greatest impact on homework completion, school climate, student discipline, more.

6. Parent Engagement Report Card

This is a self diagnostic tool which quizzes parents on their involvement. Use these 31 questions as a guide to discover some of the ways that parents can help.